Tonn and Blank Construction was founded in Michigan City as a partnership between C.W. Tonn and J.G. Blank.  That same year, Tonn and Blank completed its very first project: construction of the coal shoot in their hometown.

Tonn and Blank opened their first office and yard.

The Company offered value-added capabilities to complement its core construction business. Projects such as the installation of 8,000 pounds of copper sheet metal flashing and fascia at the Valparaiso University Chapel, central air conditioning installation at the local JCPenney store, and comprehensive HVAC installation at a Purdue University building were among the first of many clients to benefit from Tonn and Blank’s self-performing capabilities.

Prefabricating homes in Northwest Indiana, Tonn and Blank were ahead of their time in the construction industry–always striving to be efficient and cost-effective.

Tonn and Blank was the first construction firm to develop on-site concrete plant technology in Northwest Indiana.

The Company was the first construction firm to establish and utilize two-way radio communications in all company vehicles.

Tonn and Blank was an early leader in planned neighborhoods and prefabricated housing–building hundreds of single-family homes, as well as more affluent neighborhoods.

Tonn and Blank completed the $3.5 million Beatty Memorial State Hospital in Westville, Indiana. It began admitting patients from 17 different counties in 1951 and added the maximum-security division in 1954, replacing the old Hospital for Insane Criminals at the Indiana State Prison.

The Company begins work on the McGill Manufacturing Company facility. McGill Manufacturing was founded in Valparaiso in 1905, making bearings for a number of civilian and military aircraft.

The new decade brought on an expanded engineering department for Tonn and Blank. Having an in-house engineering department to address rapid advancements within the construction industry, rather than outsourcing, continues to yield great value for our clients.

Tonn and Blank expands commercial construction work across 49 states for department and shopping centers.

After a successful seven decades as a traditional general contracting firm, Tonn and Blank took a monumental step when it became part of what is now known as Franciscan Alliance, which builds and operates a growing portfolio of healthcare facilities. While the purchase didn’t change Tonn and Blank’s commitment to excellence, it changed its trajectory from earning for shareholders to supporting the Franciscan’s mission to help the poor and the underserved. It has proven to be a good fit in part because Tonn and Blank’s belief that integrity breeds quality is in alignment with Franciscan’s work.

Maintaining a substantial presence and market share in the Midwest, Tonn and Blank opens an office location in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Living their mission, Tonn and Blank donated time and resources to expand the non-for-profit organization, Dunebrook, from 400 square feet to 12,000 square feet to better advocate for children and provide positive family support and education for the Northwest Indiana community.

Tonn and Blank completes St. Joseph Regional Health Replacement Hospital project as Construction Manager for this 630,000 square foot facility, plus central utility plant.

Tonn and Blank opens an office location in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Tonn and Blank opens office location in Lafayette, Indiana.

Given the undeniable benefits of industrialized construction, Tonn and Blank launched their Off-Site Construction division, providing clients with the advantages of speed to market, higher quality, and consistency.

The company celebrates 100 years in business – a century of integrity.